yes try the new quadremesh node its greaet! also, try the instant meshes (labs) is a good one, if quadremesh doesn't get you there. (you also need to install instant meshes, but it is free and open source.)
Also, if you are trying to bake it to a substance, well you might want to start with some simpler geometry. Just try kitbashing a simple grid, then baking your grid out to a displacement map (for instance). then apply your kit bash displacement map, and finally apply your displacement map to your main geometry.
you can UV your main geometry (just the cylinder) using the "labs UV unwrap cylinder" node.
Make sure and install the SideFX labs tool set, that will help you a lot (click Labs->update labs at the top. if you are on steam, then get sidefx labs from the github)
also, take a look at this video, if you haven't seen it,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfS6ylg9vbA [
www.youtube.com]
This "Simon Houdini" dude on youtube has some good techniques, you might also find something from this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7CDHwgWKVo [
www.youtube.com]
I hope any of that helps! best way to learn houdini is to get in there and play around, ask some questions, and watch some videos!